“What should I do for exercise?”

In my book, the most important thing is to listen to your body and see if you can hear what it wants.

I know mine likes variety. Getting stuck in a rut and doing too much of the same activity is not the ticket for me. Plus variety keeps me interested. I always like trying new things. If they don’t work out, it’s on to something else.

I’ve spent the past two years taking a small group Pilates reformer class. For those of you unfamiliar with Pilates, some classes are offered without the use of equipment (often referred to as mat classes) while others use equipment.

My class uses primarily a piece of spring-based resistance equipment called a reformer, but we use a lot of other equipment as well. My class also uses props to help accommodate you, whereas I believe some more “traditional” classes do not.

Here are six takeaways from my experience:

1. Pilates requires good body awareness.
I’ve found that teachers talk about how Pilates is a mind-body activity, suggesting that doing Pilates will improve body awareness. Perhaps, a bit. But after observing other students in class, I don’t find that to be the case.

Good body awareness is crucial. Otherwise, you’re just strengthening bad postural and movement habits. Good body awareness ensures that — at least most of the time — you’re doing what you think you’re doing. I have 30 years of experience as a student and teacher of the Alexander Technique. My body awareness is good, but can always be improved. Coming in with this in my pocket has been to my benefit. In addition to my small group class, I occasionally take a private session to get even more feedback and help me further improve my body awareness.

2. Pilates is technique-heavy.
A lot is going on! It engages me completely. I can’t think about what I’m going to have for lunch or worry about getting my taxes done on time while I’m in class. I have to be in the moment and give my full attention to what I’m doing. And I dig that. There are not too many activities in my life that provide an “escape” for me in this way.

3. More is not necessarily better.
You’re typically working against spring tension and that tension can be adjusted to suit the challenge you need that day. In addition, there are a lot of things you can add within a given exercise to challenge yourself more or less.

But here’s the rub. It’s very easy to overwork muscles, especially in your neck. It may be very difficult to resist doing what others are doing in the class and adding challenges that you’re not ready for — and in so doing create additional tension in your neck where you don’t need it.

My teacher agrees with me — fewer reps, with good technique and control, instead of grinding through the exercise.

4. Resistance feels good.
Having the spring tension to work against provides a degree of support that I find very pleasing. I also find I really enjoy the feeling of stretching against resistance.

5. Pilates teachers vary greatly.
Just like with any discipline, the right teacher for one person is not going to be the right teacher for another. I currently take two classes a week with two different teachers. I like both of them, but I get different things from each of them.

6. Class size matters.
Just like with any exercise class that I would call “technique heavy,” it’s extra important to have a small enough class that the teacher is able and willing to come around to help individuals. From experience, I think six is the most I’d want in this type of class. Any more, and I don’t think I’d get the outside input I still need and want.